CH 288.2

Lucia was accompanied by familiar faces behind her. They were Magi from 《First Step (Hajimari no Ashiato)》 and among them was 《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》.

Lapis, the Leader of the group, steps forward with graceful gestures and frowns her well-shaped eyebrows.

“Hmph………… To think that 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》, who is always standing behind us, would stand on the battlefield………… Apparently, this operation seems to be quite a troublesome one.” (Lapis)

“Yowaningen!! I heard what happened, desu! I hear you’ve been doing whatever you want even though the Supreme Martial Arts Festival has only just ended, desu! Seriously……” (Kruz)

As usual, Kruz bites me as soon as she sees my face. But unusually, the other members of 《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》 seemed to be with her today, and they were all looking at Kruz with a resigned looks.

It was a kind of a bonus for me to see so many good-looking Spirit People gathered here.

I am not on bad terms with 《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》, but the only ones I have a good relationship with are Lapis and Kruz.

“………… This is rare to see Lapis and your group turn up for a job like this.” (Cry)

Spirit People are basically free people. They do not care about authority, nor are they bound by human senses.

In response to my question, Lapis *hmph* snorted dismissively. I really envy the way each casual gesture of hers can become picturesque.

“Sorcery is our specialty. Human curses are child’s play compared to Spirit People’s curse. If Lucia asks for my opinion, I can’t say no.” (Lapis)

“Yowaningen, don’t tell me you are unaware of the Legend of the Cursed Crimson Spirit Stone, desu!” (Kruz)

“”Teacher (Sensei)” asked me to cooperate…… “Teacher (Sensei)” has her hand full dealing with the Black World Tree…… But I never thought I would find Leader here.” (Lucia)

I see, I see………… So they were pulled here by Lucia.

And it seems that Lapis and the others have also softened a little bit. They weren’t bad people before, but if they can show their ability to the members of the church during this operation, they should be able to blend in more with human society.

“Aaaah, the Legend of the Cursed Spirit Stone. Yeah, that one, that one, you know…………” (Cry)

“…… Yowaningen, if you don’t know, don’t try to show off, desu!” (Kruz)

There are some things in the world that are better off not knowing, you know.

Lapis, who was not even bothered by the silly exchange between Kruz and me, said with a melancholy expression.

“Recovering the spirit stone has been our long-held desire for many years. It is one of the reasons we came out of the forest. We thought this time’s cursed item was it, but…… It seems we were wrong. The Spirit Stone is beyond human control.” (Lapis)

Come to think of it, Eliza said she was wandering and looking for something, but maybe she is looking for the same thing.

After finally calming down a bit, Lucia clears her throat with a small cough.

“………… *Ko-Kohon1*. …… Anyway, Leader, please don’t get in the way.” (Lucia)

Well, it goes without saying. Or rather, I have never tried to get in the way, okay……

But this time’s line-up is really gorgeous. You can feel the will of the “Light Spirit (Korei)” Church saying that they will never fail.

Just as I was thinking about this, a hysterical voice resounded for the second time.

“Cr-Cry Andrich…………!? Why are you here, I didn’t call you!” (Franz)

While receiving the gaze of countless believers, a recently familiar face entered with a large number of knights in tow.

He looks as if he has seen a ghost.

There was a different tidiness and serene air from that of the church coming from them due to the well-polished and uniformed armor.

“Ah………… Franz-san. Yahooo.” (Cry)

Oops…… I casually called out to him because of the habit I had when I contacted him with the Symphonic Stone.

Franz-san *zukazuka* strides towards me, *kyorokyoro* did a quick glance around and suddenly grabbed me by the collar and *gakugaku* shook me.

“For you to personally show up, whatever brought that on! What the hell is going to happen!? Aaah!? Is this going to be the curse from the prophecy!? Spit it out, spit it out!” (Franz)

Shaking attacks are one of the few attacks that the Barrier Ring cannot prevent. That was what I thought as I was shaken helplessly.

Apparently, he didn’t mind my yahoo, but his reaction was awful. When I think that they want me to come here, all I get are complaints about what I am doing, what do they think I am?

For some reason, no one helped me as I was being shaken. Not only Ark, but also Lucia, Kruz, and the others who are usually helpful were dismayed.

It’s bad…… I am starting to feel sick.  I am losing consciousness.

“”Commander Franz (Franz-Dancho)”, it is time for our meeting.” (Knight)

“………… Tsk. 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》,  I am going to have a long talk with you later! Including the events with the Magic Sword and the Magic Academy.” (Franz)

After being released, I was about to collapse, but somehow managed to regain my posture by grabbing onto the staff Lucia held out.

Even though I just came to observe, I was met with a terrible experience.

“Franz-san, do you have a grudge against me?” (Cry)

“You got what you deserved, desu. Most of his recent stress has something to do with you, Yowaningen, desu!” (Kruz)

“…………” (Lucia)

Tsuyonoble2 pokes me in the arm, and Lucia silently accuses me with just her gaze.

I am Lucia’s brother and Anthem’s best friend, you know!? And by the way, I am also best friends with Liz and Luke, but that is something I feel like that would put me on people’s radar.

Gark-san *garigari* scratches his head and says.

“Come one, let’s go listen to what they have to say too. This time’s operation will be led by the church.” (Gark)

“Have a good daaay.” (Cry)

“………… You’re going, too!” (Gark)

Telling me this even though I was so unwelcome here…… Was what I thought… But, well, it can’t be helped.

If I don’t listen to what they have to say, I might end up in danger if something happens.

“Fine, but I won’t say anything, okay?” (Cry)

“Just come!” (Gark)

§

The church in the Imperial Capital was once rebuilt to fit Anthem’s size. The auditorium chosen as the conference room had a ceiling high enough to allow even Anthem to enter with room to spare and there were even VIP seats.

This is thanks to Anthem’s powerful healing power and his ability as a Paladin.

I don’t know a lot of details about it because it wasn’t during one of his Hunter’s activities, but apparently, he played a remarkable role in an incident involving the relative of one of the top church officials.

He doesn’t talk much about himself, so when I see him succeeding in such a splendid way, I feel proud or relieved, and I feel like I should work hard too. I am not going to work hard, though.

The strategy meeting began solemnly. 『Marin’s Wails』 purification plan seemed to be constructed in a very logical manner based on numerous calculations.

Cursed objects are created by strong thoughts. The power of the curse depends on the situation and the power of the person who casts the curse, so unexpected events can easily occur and it is known that its power tends to diminish over time.

It seems the sealing technique that the god of light possesses is also originally used to seal curses and purify them once they have weakened.

The church’s plan was to deduce the strength of the thoughts that had been put into the cursed item from the scale of damage caused by 『Marin’s Wails』 in the past, analogize the current power remaining in the cursed item based on the passage of time and their experience in dealing with many cursed items, and strike it with a force greater than its remaining strength.

Also, due to the nature of the curse, it seems that the fighting force was gathered with a lot of leeways and it seems that they have prepared enough power to suppress it even if its power has not been attenuated at all.

I had no idea what they were saying when they were talking in detail about the conjurers’ techniques, but it seems to be impeccable.

I wondered what would happen when I first heard about the prophecy with the curse and the unsealing and purification of a cursed item, but I see… No wonder the country approves of this operation.

After finishing the explanation, an elderly priest sitting in the top seat――The Priest-san who Anthem is indebted to and the one who oversees the church in the Imperial Capital of Zebrudia raises his voice.

He has a calm gaze that reminds me of the surface of calm water. He looks as if he could not kill an insect, but I heard that he used to be a skilled Paladin.

“For this occasion, the church has prepared first-class conjurers. With the help of the Knights, the Explorer Association and the Magi from the Magic Academy, we are sure that there will be no failure during this purification. Does anyone have any questions?” (Priest)

There was a somewhat supernatural sound to his voice, a sound peculiar to those involved in the priesthood.

He reminds me a little of Sora, the Fox God “Miko (Shrine Maiden)”, but he probably won’t fall flat like her. He is different from Sora, a 《Miko (Shrine Maiden)》. There should be no objections.

When I *unun* nodded without thinking about anything, Franz-san, who was sitting by the wall on my left, suddenly stood up.

He says in a clear voice amidst countless gazes.

“I understand the process well now. However…… I would like to add additional manpower.” (Franz)

“………… As presented, we have members that far exceed the expected strength of the curse. Do you have any concerns?” (Priest)

Priest-san narrows his eyes and looks at Franz-san. The assembled priests of the “Light Spirit (Korei)” Church are also rustling at his unexpected words.

Not bad, as expected of Franz-san, it was quite a feat for him to speak up in this atmosphere. I had no idea, but were there some holes in the plan?

For some reason, Franz-san stares at me and smiles deeply at what he says.

“What, it is just a trivial matter………… But these days, things have been very dangerous, so if any more trouble happens, it will be, very troublesome, for Zebrudia.” (Franz)

Thanks for reading!

Well, everyone is here!

You can see that Franz is traumatized because of Cry.

Is this going to be the curse from the prophesy!?

Tchao à plus!